Status management in a mesh network

ABSTRACT

A method including receiving, by a first device from a second device in a mesh network, a first status message indicating that the second device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first device or that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second device such that data communicated by the second device outside the mesh network is routed via the first device; and selecting, by the first device based at least in part on the first status message, a third device in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is routed via the third device, the third device being different from the second device. Various other aspects are contemplated.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 17/566,820, filed on Dec. 31, 2021, and titled “Status Management In A Mesh Network,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to communications in networks, and more particularly to status management in a mesh network.

BACKGROUND

Users may rely on mesh networks (also referred to as “meshnets”) to communicate (e.g., transmit and/or receive) data among a plurality of endpoints (e.g., user devices) via one or more Internet nodes (e.g., bridges, switches, infrastructure devices, etc.). In an example, a mesh network may include a plurality of endpoints communicatively coupled to each other directly or via the one or more Internet nodes. A mesh network in which all endpoints are communicatively coupled to each other may be referred to as a fully connected network. Data transmitted by a first endpoint, from among the plurality of endpoints, may be routed over the Internet via the one or more Internet nodes to a second endpoint from among the plurality of endpoints. Also, data transmitted by the first endpoint may be routed to two or more endpoints from among the plurality of endpoints.

In a mesh network, the plurality of endpoints may cooperate with each other to enable communication of the data among the plurality of endpoints. In an example, one or more of the endpoints may participate in communication of the data. In this way, the mesh network may avoid relying on a given endpoint for communication of the data. Some mesh networks may have the ability to dynamically self-organize and self-configure the plurality of endpoints. This ability may allow such mesh networks to enable dynamic distribution of workloads, particularly in the event that one or more endpoints should fail. Further, installation overhead may be reduced.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure contemplates a method including receiving, by a first device from a second device in a mesh network, a status message indicating that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second device and that the second device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the second device outside the mesh network is routed via the first device; and refraining, by the first device based at least in part on receiving the status message, from selecting the second device as an exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is not routed via the second device.

In another aspect, the present disclosure contemplates a first device including a memory and a processor configured to: receive, from a second device in a mesh network, a status message indicating that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second device and that the second device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the second device outside the mesh network is routed via the first device; and refrain, based at least in part on receiving the status message, from selecting the second device as an exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is not routed via the second device.

In another aspect, the present disclosure contemplates a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions, which when executed by a processor associated with a first device, cause the processor to: receive, from a second device in a mesh network, a status message indicating that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second device and that the second device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the second device outside the mesh network is routed via the first device; and refrain, based at least in part on receiving the status message, from selecting the second device as an exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is not routed via the second device.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory in nature and are intended to provide an understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the scope thereof. In that regard, additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of systems, devices, methods, and/or mediums disclosed herein and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Throughout this description, like elements, in whatever aspect described, refer to common elements wherever referred to and referenced by the same reference number. The characteristics, attributes, functions, interrelations ascribed to a particular element in one location apply to those elements when referred to by the same reference number in another location unless specifically stated otherwise.

The figures referenced below are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present disclosure; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the following aspects may be explained or may be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. Further, exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood.

The following is a brief description of each figure used to describe the present disclosure, and thus, is being presented for illustrative purposes only and should not be limitative of the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example system associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example flow associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example process associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example process associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example process associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of example devices associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the aspects illustrated in the drawings, and specific language may be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, instruments, methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In particular, it is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one aspect may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other aspects of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, however, the numerous iterations of these combinations may not be described separately. For simplicity, in some instances the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example 100 associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure. Example 100 shows an architectural depiction of included components. In some aspects, the components may include one or more user devices 102 capable of communicating with a mesh network service provider (MSP) control infrastructure 104 for purposes of obtaining mesh network services. In some aspects, the one or more user devices 102 may communicate with the MSP control infrastructure 104 over a network 118. The MSP control infrastructure 104 may be controlled by a mesh network service provider and may include an application programming interface (API) 106, a user database 108, processing unit 110, and a meshnet database 112. In some aspects, a user device 102 may utilize a processing unit 116 and/or a client application 114, which is provided by the MSP control infrastructure 104, to communicate with the API 106. The API 106 may be capable of communicating with the user database 108 and with the processing unit 110. Additionally, the processing unit 110 may be capable of communicating with the meshnet database 112, which may be capable of storing data associated with providing mesh network services.

The user device 102 may be a physical computing device capable of hosting the client application 114 and of connecting to the network 118. The user device 102 may be, for example, a laptop, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a smart device, an access point, a router, or the like. In some aspects, the user device 102 may include, for example, Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices such as smart home appliances, smart home security systems, autonomous vehicles, smart health monitors, smart factory equipment, wireless inventory trackers, biometric cyber security scanners, or the like. The network 118 may be any analog and/or digital telecommunication network that permits several nodes to share and access resources. In some aspects, the network 118 may include one or more of, for example, a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), a campus-area network (CAN), a metropolitan-area network (MAN), a home-area network (HAN), Internet, Intranet, Extranet, and/or Internetwork.

The MSP control infrastructure 104 may include a combination of hardware and software components that enable provision of mesh network services to the user device 102. The MSP control infrastructure 104 may interface with (the client application on) the user device 102 via the API 106, which may include one or more endpoints to a defined request-response message system. In some aspects, the API 106 may be configured to receive, via the network 118, a connection request from the user device 102 to establish a connection with the MSP control infrastructure 104 for purposes of obtaining the mesh network services. The connection request may include an authentication request to authenticate the user device 102. The API 106 may receive the authentication request and a request for the mesh network services in a single connection request. In some aspects, the API 106 may receive the authentication request and the request for the mesh network services in separate connection requests.

The API 106 may further be configured to handle the connection request by mediating the authentication request. For instance, the API 106 may receive from the user device 102 credentials including, for example, a unique combination of a user ID and password for purposes of authenticating the user device 102. In another example, the credentials may include a unique validation code known to an authentic user. The API 106 may provide the received credentials to the user database 108 for verification.

The user database 108 may include a structured repository of valid credentials belonging to authentic users. In one example, the structured repository may include one or more tables containing valid unique combinations of user IDs and passwords belonging to authentic users. In another example, the structured repository may include one or more tables containing valid unique validation codes associated with authentic users. The mesh network service provider may add or delete such valid unique combinations of user IDs and passwords from the structured repository at any time. Based at least in part on receiving the credentials from the API 106, the user database 108 and a processor (e.g., the processing unit 110 or another local or remote processor) may verify the received credentials by matching the received credentials with the valid credentials stored in the structured repository. In some aspects, the user database 108 and the processor may authenticate the user device 102 when the received credentials match at least one of the valid credentials. In this case, the mesh network service provider may provide mesh network services to the user device 102. When the received credentials fail to match at least one of the valid credentials, the user database 108 and the processor may fail to authenticate the user device 102. In this case, the mesh network service provider may decline to provide mesh network services to the user device 102.

When the user device 102 is authenticated, the user device 102 may initiate a connection and may transmit to the API 106 a request for the mesh network services. The processing unit 110 included in the MSP control infrastructure 104 may be configured to determine a mesh network associated with the user device 102 and/or to identify one or more user devices to be included within the determined mesh network. The processing unit 110 may utilize the API 106 to transmit information associated with the mesh network and/or the identified one or more user devices to the user device 102. The user device 102 may transmit an initiation request to establish secure connections (e.g., encrypted tunnels) with the one or more user devices. In some aspects, the one or more user devices with which the user device 102 establishes the secure connections may also host respective client applications for communicating with the MSP control infrastructure 104 and/or with the user device 102. In some aspects, the processing unit 110 may be a logical unit including a logical component configured to perform complex operations associated with computing, for example, numerical weights related to various factors associated with providing the meshnet services.

One or more components (e.g., API 106, user database 108, processing unit 110, and/or meshnet database 112, processing unit 116) included in the MSP control infrastructure 104 and/or included in the user device 102 may further be associated with a controller/processor, a memory, a communication interface, or a combination thereof (e.g., FIG. 7 ). For instance, the one or more components of the set of components may include or may be included in a controller/processor, a memory, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the one or more of the components included in the MSP control infrastructure 104 and/or the user device 102 may be separate and distinct from each other. Alternatively, in some aspects, one or more of the components included in the MSP control infrastructure 104 and/or the user device 102 may be combined with one or more of other components included in the MSP control infrastructure 104. In some aspects, the one or more of the components included in the MSP control infrastructure 104 and/or the user device 102 may be local with respect to each other. Alternatively, in some aspects, one or more of the components included in the MSP control infrastructure 104 and/or the user device 102 may be located remotely with respect to one or more of other components included in the MSP control infrastructure 104 and/or the user device 102. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more components of the components included in the MSP control infrastructure 104 and/or the user device 102 may be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by a controller or a processor to perform the functions or operations of the component. Additionally, or alternatively, a set of (one or more) components shown in FIG. 1 may be configured to perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components shown in FIG. 1 .

As indicated above, FIG. 1 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 1 .

A plurality of user devices (e.g., endpoints) may rely on a mesh network to communicate (e.g., transmit and/or receive) data among the endpoints. In example 200 shown in FIG. 2 , the endpoints may include a first user device, a second user device, a third user device, and/or a fourth user device. Endpoints may leave the mesh network and other endpoints may join the mesh network in an ad-hoc manner. The data may be communicated using wired communications and/or wireless communications over a network such as, for example, the Internet. The mesh network may be a secure mesh network that may enable the endpoints to communicate the data in encrypted form via meshnet connections (shown as double-ended arrows in FIG. 2 ). The communicated data may include any information including digital information such as, for example, folders, files, documents, voice data, image data, signal data, and/or video data.

The endpoints in the mesh network may also correspond (e.g., communicate data) with an external device outside the mesh network utilizing a public network (e.g., the Internet). For added security and/or to protect private information from devices outside the mesh network, an endpoint (e.g., entry device) may freely select (e.g., choose) another endpoint in the mesh network as an exit node (e.g., exit device). In this case, correspondence between the entry device and the external device may be routed via the selected exit device.

In the mesh network of example 200, the first user device may select the second user device as an exit node. Correspondence (e.g., communicated data) between the first user device and an external device may be routed via the second user device. In this case, the first user device may operate as a direct entry device with respect to the second user device and the second user device may operate as a direct exit device with respect to the first user device. Also, the third user device may select the first user device as an exit node. Correspondence between the third user device and an external device may be routed via the first user device. Because correspondence between the first user device and an external device is routed via the second user device, the first user device may route the correspondence between the third user device and the external device via the second user device. As a result, the correspondence between the third user device and the external device may be routed via the first user device and via the second user device. In this case, the third user device may operate as a direct entry device with respect to the first user device and as an indirect entry device with respect to the second user device, and the first user device may operate as a direct exit device with respect to the third user device and the second user device may operate as an indirect exit device with respect to the third user device. Similarly, the fourth user device may select the third user device as an exit node. Correspondence between the fourth user device and an external device may be routed via the third user device. Because correspondence between the third user device and an external device is routed via the first user device, the third user device may route the correspondence between the fourth user device and the external device via the first user device. As a result, the correspondence between the third user device and the external device may be routed via the third user device and via the first user device. In this case, the fourth user device may operate as a direct entry device with respect to the third user device and as an indirect entry device with respect to the first user device, and the third user device may operate as a direct exit device with respect to the fourth user device and the first user device may operate as an indirect exit device with respect to the fourth user device. Additionally, the second user device may operate as an indirect exit node with respect to the third user device and the fourth user device, and the third user device and the fourth user device may operate as indirect entry nodes with respect to the second user device.

Because an endpoint (e.g., entry device) may freely select another endpoint (e.g., exit device) in the mesh network as an exit node, the second user device may select the third user device as an exit node. In this case, correspondence between the second user device and an external device may be routed via the third user device. Because correspondence between the third user device and an external device is routed via the first user device, the third user device may route the correspondence between the second user device and the external device via the first user device. And because correspondence between the first user device and an external device is routed via the second user device, the first user device may route the correspondence between the third user device and the external device via the second user device. As a result, the correspondence between the second user device and the external device may be looped via the third user device and the first user device back to the second user device without being communicated to the external device. Also, correspondence between the first user device and the external device may be looped via the second user device and the third user device back to the first user device without being communicated to the external device. Further, correspondence between the third user device and the external device may be looped via the first user device and the second user device back to the third user device without being communicated to the external device. Finally, correspondence between the fourth user device and the external device may be looped among the first user device, the second user device, and the third user device without being communicated to the external device.

Such looping of correspondence within the mesh network without communication to the external device may disable the endpoints from being able to communicate with external devices outside the mesh network. Further, such looping may result in inefficient consumption of user device resources (e.g., processing resources, memory resources, power consumption resources, battery life, or the like) and of resources associated with an MSP control infrastructure (computational resources, network bandwidth, management resources, processing resources, memory resources, or the like) that can otherwise be used to perform suitable tasks associated with the mesh network.

Various aspects of systems and techniques discussed in the present disclosure enable status management in a mesh network. In some aspects, an MSP control infrastructure may provide the mesh network to enable endpoints to securely communicate data. Further, the MSP control infrastructure may provide the endpoints with respective client applications to perform operations associated with the mesh network including, for example, communicating with each other for setting up respective meshnet connections to be utilized for communicating the data in the mesh network, communicating data with each other over the respective meshnet connections, and/or performing status management processes. In some aspects, a respective client application installed in a given endpoint may perform the status management by determining direct and indirect entry devices associated with the given endpoint, and by refraining from selecting a direct endpoint or an indirect endpoint as an exit node (e.g., exit device) with respect to the given endpoint. As a result, the respective client applications may assist in avoiding looping of correspondence (e.g., data communicated between endpoints and external devices) within the mesh network without communication to external devices. In this way, the MSP control infrastructure and the respective client applications may enable the endpoints to communicate with external devices outside the mesh network. Further, the respective client applications may enable efficient consumption of user device resources (e.g., processing resources, memory resources, power consumption resources, battery life, or the like) and of resources associated with an MSP control infrastructure (computational resources, network bandwidth, management resources, processing resources, memory resources, or the like) for performing suitable tasks associated with the mesh network.

In some aspects, a processor (e.g., processing unit 116, processor 720) associated with a first user device may receive, from a second device in a mesh network, a status message indicating that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second device and that the second device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the second device outside the mesh network is routed via the first device; and refrain, based at least in part on receiving the status message, from selecting the second device as an exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is not routed via the second device.

As indicated above, FIG. 2 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 2 .

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example flow 300 associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The example flow 300 may include a first user device (e.g., first endpoint), MSP control infrastructure 104, and a second user device (e.g., second endpoint) in communication with each other. The first user device and the second user device may be similar to a user device 102 discussed above with respect to FIG. 1 . The first user device may install a first client application (e.g., client application 114) and the second user device may install a second client application (e.g., client application 114), the first client application and the second client application being associated with (e.g., provided by) the MSP control infrastructure 104. The first user device and the second user device may use the respective client applications to communicate with an application programming interface (API) and/or a processor (e.g., processing unit 110, processor 720) associated with the MSP control infrastructure 104. In some aspects, the first user device, the MSP control infrastructure 104, and the second user device may communicate with each other over a network (e.g., network 118). In some aspects, as discussed elsewhere herein, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may enable the first user device and/or the second user device to obtain the mesh network services via the respective client applications.

Although only two user devices (e.g., endpoints) are shown in FIG. 3 , the present disclosure contemplates the mesh network to include any number of user devices that perform the processes discussed herein in a similar and/or analogous manner. For instance, the mesh network may include a third user device and a fourth user device, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 2 , that perform the processes discussed herein in a similar and/or analogous manner. Further, user devices may leave and join the mesh network in an ad-hoc manner.

In some aspects, the first user device and the second user device may be associated with a single account registered with the MSP control infrastructure 104. In some aspects, the first user device and the second user device may be associated with different accounts registered with the MSP control infrastructure 104. In some aspects, the first user device and the second user device may be located locally (e.g., in the same room, in the same building, etc.). In some aspects, the first user device and the second user device may be located remotely (e.g., in different buildings, in different cities, in different states, in different countries, etc.) with respect to each other.

In some aspects, the respective client applications may enable the user devices to receive information to be processed by the respective client applications and/or by the MSP control infrastructure 104. Each of the client applications may enable respective graphical user interfaces to receive the information via local input interfaces (e.g., touch screen, keyboard, mouse, pointer, etc.) associated with the user devices. The information may be received via text input or via a selection from among a plurality of options (e.g., pull down menu, etc.). In some aspects, the first client application and/or the second client application may activate and/or enable, at a time associated with the registration (e.g., after the registration) of the account, the graphical interface for receiving the information. For instance, the first client application (or the second client application) may cause a screen (e.g., local screen) associated with the first user device (or the second user device) to display, for example, a pop-up message to request entry of the information. Further, the client applications may enable transmission of at least a portion of the received information to the MSP control infrastructure 104. In some aspects, as discussed below in further detail, the first client application may utilize a first processing unit (e.g., processing unit 116, processor 720) included in the first user device to perform processes/operations associated with obtaining the mesh network services and the second application may utilize a second processing unit (e.g., processing unit 116, processor 720) included in the second user device to perform processes/operations associated with obtaining the mesh network services.

As shown by reference numeral 305, the first user device may register an account with the MSP control infrastructure 104. In some aspects, during the registration, the first user device may provide registration information such as, for example, identity of an owner of the first user device, a phone number associated with the first user device, an email address associated with the first user device, or the like. In some aspects, the first user device may set up an access system including login information (e.g., access information) such as, for example, username, password, or the like to subsequently gain access to the registered account. In some aspects, the first user device may share the login information with other user devices (e.g., second user device) associated with the first user device to enable the other user devices to utilize the login information to gain access to the MSP control infrastructure 104 via the registered account. In some aspects, a given user device may be associated with the first user device because the given user device may be available to a user/owner of the first user device. In some aspects, when the second user device may not be associated with the registered account associated with the first user device, the second user device may register a different account with the MSP control infrastructure 104.

In some aspects, the first user device and the second user device may utilize the login information to access the registered account/accounts to communicate with the MSP control infrastructure 104. As shown by reference numeral 310, based at least in part on the first user device and the second user device accessing the registered account/accounts to communicate with the MSP control infrastructure 104, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may transmit, and the first client application and the second client application may receive, MSP access information. In some aspects, the MSP access information may include UDP access information. The UDP access information may include information regarding an infrastructure UDP IP address and an infrastructure UDP port associated with the MSP control infrastructure 104. The MSP control infrastructure 104 may utilize the infrastructure UDP IP address and the infrastructure UDP port to communicate utilizing the UDP. In some aspects, the first user device and the second user device may utilize the infrastructure UDP IP address and the infrastructure UDP port to communicate with the MSP control infrastructure 104 regarding the mesh network. Further, the first client application and the second client application may obtain from, for example, a domain name services (DNS) server, transmission control protocol (TCP) access information associated with the MSP control infrastructure 104. Such TCP access information may include information regarding an infrastructure TCP IP address and an infrastructure TCP port associated with the MSP control infrastructure 104. The MSP control infrastructure 104 may utilize the infrastructure TCP IP address and the infrastructure TCP port to communicate utilizing the TCP.

As shown by reference numeral 315, the first client application and the second client application may determine information based at least in part on the registration of the account/accounts with the MSP Control Infrastructure 104. In an example, the first client application may determine a first asymmetric assigned key pair associated with the first user device. The first assigned key pair may be unique to the first user device and may include a first assigned public key and a first assigned private key. In this way, the first assigned public key and the first assigned private key may be device-specific and may be associated with the registered account. In some aspects, the first assigned public key and the first assigned private key may be associated with each other via, for example, a mathematical function. As a result, data encrypted using the first assigned public key may be decrypted by utilizing the first assigned private key.

Similarly, the second client application may determine a second asymmetric assigned key pair associated with the second user device. The second assigned key pair may be unique to the second user device and may include a second assigned public key and a second assigned private key. In this way, the second assigned public key and the second assigned private key may be device-specific and may be associated with the registered account. In some aspects, the second assigned public key and the second assigned private key may be associated with each other via, for example, a mathematical function. As a result, data encrypted using the second assigned public key may be decrypted by utilizing the second assigned private key.

As shown by reference numeral 320, the client applications may transmit, and the MSP control infrastructure 104 may receive, at least a portion of the information determined by the client applications. For instance, the first client application may transmit the first assigned public key to the MSP control infrastructure 104 and the second client application may transmit the second assigned public key to the MSP control infrastructure 104. The MSP control infrastructure 104 may store and correlate the received information in association with the respective registered accounts and/or with the respective user devices. In some aspects, the first client application and the second client application may utilize the infrastructure TCP IP address and the infrastructure TCP port to transmit the first assigned public key and the second assigned public key to the MSP control infrastructure 104 via the TCP.

Further, as shown by reference numeral 325, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may determine that the first user device and the second user device are to be included in the same mesh network. In some aspects, when the first user device and the second user device are associated with the same registered account, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may make such a determination regarding the secure mesh network based at least in part on determining that the first user device and the second user device are communicating with the MSP control infrastructure 104 by utilizing the login information associated with the same registered account. In some aspects, when the first user device and the second user device are associated with different registered accounts, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may make such a determination regarding the secure mesh network based at least in part on the first user device (or the second user device) providing information indicating that the first user device and the second user device are to be included in the secure mesh network. Such information may include, for example, identification information (e.g., type of device, etc.) associated with the second user device (or the first user device), the second IP address (or the first IP address), or the like.

Based at least in part on determining that the first user device and the second user device are to be included in the same mesh network, as shown by reference numeral 330, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may determine meshnet IP addresses for the first user device and for the second user device. In an example, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may determine a first meshnet IP address associated with the first user device and a second meshnet IP address associated with the second user device. The first client application and/or another application installed on the first user device and/or the operating system associated with the first user device may utilize the first meshnet IP address and/or the first local meshnet port to communicate data with the endpoints over meshnet connections in the mesh network and the second user device may utilize the second meshnet IP address and/or the second local meshnet port to communicate data with the endpoints over the meshnet connections in the mesh network. In an example, with respect to communication between the first user device and the second user device, the first user device may determine a first meshnet IP packet indicating the first meshnet IP address as a source address, the first local meshnet port as a source port, the second meshnet IP address as a destination address, and the second local meshnet port as a destination port. The first user device may encrypt and encapsulate the first meshnet IP packet within a payload of a transmitted UDP IP packet. The second user device may receive the UDP IP packet, may decrypt the first meshnet IP packet, and may route the first meshnet IP packet to the second local meshnet port. Similarly, the second user device may determine a second meshnet IP packet indicating the second meshnet IP address as a source address, the second local meshnet port as a source port, the first meshnet IP address as a destination address, and the first local meshnet port as a destination port. The second user device may encrypt and encapsulate the second meshnet IP packet within a payload of a transmitted UDP IP packet. The first user device may receive the UDP IP packet, may decrypt the first meshnet IP packet, and may route the second meshnet IP packet to the first local meshnet port. The MSP control infrastructure 104 may determine the first meshnet IP address and the second meshnet IP address from, for example, a pool of reserved IP addresses included in a subnet associated with an internal network of the ISP.

As shown by reference numeral 335, the first user device and the second user device may transmit, and the MSP control infrastructure 104 may receive, respective binding requests. In an example, the first user device may transmit a first binding request to the MSP control infrastructure 104 to request the MSP control infrastructure 104 to determine a first UDP IP address (e.g., communication address) and/or a first UDP port (e.g., communication port) associated with the first device. In some aspects, the first user device may transmit the first binding request to the MSP control infrastructure 104 using the UDP by utilizing the UDP access information received from the MSP control infrastructure 104 (e.g., block 310). As discussed below in further detail, the first UDP IP address and/or the first UDP port are to be utilized by the second user device to communicate with the first user device in the mesh network. Similarly, the second user device may transmit a second binding request to the MSP control infrastructure 104 to request the MSP control infrastructure 104 to determine a second UDP IP address (e.g., communication address) and/or a second UDP port (e.g., communication port) associated with the second device. In some aspects, the second user device may transmit the second binding request to the MSP control infrastructure 104 using the UDP by utilizing the UDP access information received from the MSP control infrastructure 104 (e.g., block 310). As discussed below in further detail, the second UDP IP address and/or the second UDP port are to be utilized by the first user device to communicate with the second user device in the mesh network.

In some aspects, the first UDP IP address and/or the first UDP port may be determined by a first NAT (e.g., a router) device responsible for managing operation of the first user device in a first local network. In an example, the first NAT device may translate a first local UDP IP address and/or a first local UDP port associated with the first user device to the first UDP IP address and/or the first UDP port that the first user device utilizes to publicly communicate (e.g., transmit and/or receive) over the Internet using the UDP. Similarly, the second UDP IP address and/or the second UDP port may be determined by a second NAT device responsible for managing operation of the second user device in a second local network. In an example, the second NAT device may translate a second local UDP IP address and/or a second local UDP port associated with the second user device to the second UDP IP address and/or the second UDP port that the second user device utilized to publicly communicate (e.g., transmit and/or receive) over the Internet using the UDP.

Based at least in part on receiving the respective binding requests, as shown by reference numeral 340, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may determine UDP IP addresses and UDP ports for the first user device and the second user device. In an example, based at least in part on receiving the first binding request, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may determine the first UDP IP address and/or the first UDP port associated with the first user device. In some aspects, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may determine the first UDP IP address and/or the first UDP port based at least in part on analyzing the UDP communication (e.g., UDP IP packet) including the first binding request received from the first user device. The UDP communication may include, for example, a header that indicates the first UDP IP address as a source UDP IP address and/or the first UDP port as a source UDP port associated with the first user device. Similarly, based at least in part on receiving the second binding request, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may determine the second UDP IP address and/or the second UDP port associated with the second user device. In some aspects, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may determine the second UDP IP address and/or the second UDP port based at least in part on analyzing the UDP communication (e.g., UDP IP packet) including the second binding request received from the second user device. The UDP communication may include, for example, a header that indicates the second UDP IP address as a source UDP IP address and/or the second UDP port as a source UDP port associated with the second user device.

Based at least in part on determining the UDP IP addresses and/or the UDP ports, as shown by reference numeral 345, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may transmit, and the first client application and the second client application may receive, communication information. In an example, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may transmit, and the first client application may receive, first communication information including the first meshnet IP address associated with the first user device, the second meshnet IP address associated with the second user device, the first UDP IP address and the first UDP port associated with the first user device, the second UDP IP address and the second UDP port associated with the second user device, and/or the second public key associated with the second user device. Further, the first client application may store information associated with the first UDP IP address and/or the first UDP port in a memory associated with the first user device. Similarly, the MSP control infrastructure 104 may transmit, and the second client application may receive, second communication information including the first UDP IP address and the first UDP port associated with the first user device, the second UDP IP address and the second UDP port associated with the second user device, the first public key associated with the first user device, the first meshnet IP address associated with the first user device, and/or the second meshnet IP address associated with the second user device. Further, the second client application may store information associated with the second UDP IP address and/or the second UDP port in a memory associated with the second user device. As discussed below in further detail, the above transmission of communication information may enable the first user device and the second user device to communicate securely and privately in the mesh network.

As shown by reference numeral 350, the first user device and the second user device may communicate with each other directly to set up a meshnet connection (e.g., an encrypted tunnel) for communicating encrypted data in the hybrid mesh network. To set up the meshnet connection, the first client application may utilize the second assigned public key and/or the second public IP address (e.g., second UDP IP address) to securely (e.g., in encrypted form) communicate with the second user device, and the second client application may utilize the first assigned public key and/or the first public IP address (e.g., first UDP IP address) to securely communicate with the first user device. In some aspects, the first user device and the second user device may communicate to securely/privately negotiate parameters (e.g., a symmetric encryption/decryption key) associated with the meshnet connection. In some aspects, the parameters may be randomly generated to provide optimized security to the communications. In an example, the first user device and the second user device may privately negotiate a randomly generated symmetric key that is to be utilized by the first user device and the second user device for encrypting and decrypting data communicated via the meshnet connection. The randomly generated symmetric key may be determined based at least in part on any combination of the first public key, the second public key, and/or randomly generated numbers. Additionally, the first user device and the second user device may utilize a secure protocol (e.g., Wireguard, IP sec, etc.) to communicate the data via the meshnet connection.

Additionally, or alternatively, the first user device and the second user device may communicate with each other indirectly via, for example, a relay device (e.g., a relay server) to set up the meshnet connection. In an example, the first user device may provide the first assigned public key to a relay server, which may store an association of the first assigned public key with the first user device. In some aspects, the association may include an association between the first assigned public key and a first communication connection between the relay server and the first user device. Similarly, the second user device may provide the second assigned public key to the relay server, which may store an association of the second assigned public key with the second user device. In some aspects, the association may include an association between the second assigned public key and a second communication connection between the relay server and the first user device. The relay server may rely on the stored associations of public keys and user devices to determine a destination of a received message. In some aspects, the relay server may include a network of relay servers that enable the first user device and the second user device to communicate with each other. In this case, the first user device and the second user device may provide the respective assigned public keys to different relay servers included within the network of relay servers.

In some aspects, the first client application may transmit, to the relay server, a first message that is to be delivered to the second user device. Along with the first message, the first client application may transmit the second assigned public key. Further, the first client application may encrypt the first message utilizing the second assigned public key. In some aspects, the first client application may encrypt the first message based at least in part on utilizing the negotiated randomly generated symmetric key. Based at least in part on receiving the encrypted first message and the second assigned public key, the relay server may determine from stored associations that the second assigned public key is associated with the second user device. As a result, the relay server may determine that the first message is to be relayed (e.g., transmitted) to the second user device. Similarly, the second client application may transmit, to the relay server, a second message that is to be delivered to the first user device. Along with the second message, the second client application may transmit the first assigned public key. Further, the second client application may encrypt the second message utilizing the first assigned public key. In some aspects, the second client application may encrypt the second message based at least in part on utilizing the negotiated randomly generated symmetric key. Based at least in part on receiving the encrypted second message and the first assigned public key, the relay server may determine from stored associations that the first assigned public key is associated with the first user device. As a result, the relay server may determine that the second message is to be relayed (e.g., transmitted) to the first user device. In this way, the relay server may enable the first user device and the second user device to communicate with each other to set up the meshnet connection.

Based at least in part on setting up the meshnet connection, the first client application and the second client application may begin communicating encrypted data via the meshnet connection based at least in part on utilizing the negotiated parameters and the secure protocol. In a similar and/or analogous manner, the first client application may set up meshnet connections with a third client application installed in the third user device and with a fourth client application associated with the fourth user device. Also, in a similar and/or analogous manner, the second client application may set up meshnet connections with the first client application, the third client application, and the fourth client application. Further, in a similar and/or analogous manner, the third client application may set up meshnet connections with the first client application, the second client application, and the fourth client application. Finally, in a similar and/or analogous manner, the fourth client application may set up meshnet connections with the first client application, the second client application, and the third client application. Additional user devices that enter the mesh network may also set up meshnet connections with the other user devices included in the mesh network.

Based at least in part on setting up the mesh net connections, each of the first user device, the second user device, the third user device, and/or the fourth user device (collectively, “the user devices”) may operate as an entry device by selecting another user device in the mesh network as an exit node. As discussed previously with respect to example 200, selection of exit nodes may result in the first user device operating as a direct entry device with respect to the second user device; the third user device operating as a direct entry device with respect to the first user device and as an indirect entry device with respect to the second user device; and the fourth user device operating as a direct entry device with respect to the third user device and as an indirect entry device with respect to the first user device and the second user device.

Further, as shown by reference numeral 355, the first user device, the second user device, the third user device, and/or the fourth user device (collectively, “the user devices”) may implement status management to avoid looping of correspondence (e.g., communicated data) within the mesh network without communication to an external device. To implement status management, each of the user devices may determine status information indicating devices operating as entry devices and/or exit devices and selectively transmit respective status messages including the status information, as discussed below in further detail. In some aspects, a user device may transmit a respective status message periodically (e.g., every 10 seconds, every 20 seconds, every 30 seconds, every 60 seconds, every 120 seconds, etc.). Additionally, or alternatively, the user device may transmit the respective status message when the user device selects an exit node. In some aspects, selecting an exit node may include the user device selecting an initial exit node (e.g., for the first time) and/or the user device selecting a new exit node to replace a previously selected exit node.

Implementation of the status management with respect to example 200 will now be discussed. To implement the status management, the first user device may determine status information and may select to transmit a first status message including the status information to the exit node (e.g., the second user device) selected by the first user device. The first status message may indicate the first user device as the transmitting user device and the second user device as the destination user device. Based at least in part on receiving and/or analyzing the status information indicated by the first status message, the second user device may determine that the first user device is operating as a direct entry node with respect to the second user device. Based at least in part on determining that the first user device is operating as a direct entry device with respect to the second user device, the second user device may further determine that the second user device may not select (e.g., is to refrain from selecting) the first user device as an exit node. The second user device may store the determined information in a memory associated with the second user device. When the second user device is to select an exit node, the second user device may refer to such stored information.

With respect to the second user device, the second user device may select to not transmit a second status message because the second user device has not yet selected an exit node.

With respect to the third user device, the third user device may determine status information and may select to transmit a third status message including the status information to the exit node (e.g., the first user device) selected by the third user device. The third status message may indicate the third user device as the transmitting user device and the first user device as the destination user device. Based at least in part on receiving and/or analyzing the status information included in the third status message, the first user device may determine that the third user device is operating as a direct entry node with respect to the first user device. Based at least in part on determining that the third user device is operating as a direct entry device with respect to the first user device, the first user device may further determine that the first user device may not select (e.g., is to refrain from selecting) the third user device as an exit node. The first user device may store the determined information in a memory associated with the first user device. When the first user device is to select an exit node, the first user device may refer to such stored information.

Further, the first user device may select to transmit (e.g., forward) the third status message to the second user device, which is the exit node with respect to the first user device. Based at least in part on receiving and/or analyzing the status information included in the third status message, the second user device may determine that the third user device is operating as a direct entry node with respect to the first user device, which is operating as a direct entry node with respect to the second user device. As a result, the second user device may determine that the third user device is operating as an indirect entry user device with respect to the second user device. Based at least in part on determining that the third user device is operating as an indirect entry device with respect to the second user device, and that the first user device is operating as a direct entry device with respect to the second user device, the second user device may further determine that the second user device may not select (e.g., is to refrain from selecting) the third user device or the first user device as an exit node. The second user device may store the determined information in a memory associated with the second user device. When the second user device is to select an exit node, the second user device may refer to such stored information.

With respect to the fourth user device, the fourth user device may determine status information and may select to transmit a fourth status message including the status information to the exit node (e.g., the third user device) selected by the fourth user device. The fourth status message may indicate the fourth user device as the transmitting user device and the third user device as the destination user device. Based at least in part on receiving and/or analyzing the status information included in the fourth status message, the third user device may determine that the fourth user device is operating as a direct entry node with respect to the third user device. Based at least in part on determining that the fourth user device is operating as a direct entry device with respect to the third user device, the third user device may further determine that the third user device may not select (e.g., is to refrain from selecting) the fourth user device as an exit node. The third user device may store the determined information in a memory associated with the third user device. When the third user device is to select an exit node, the third user device may refer to such stored information.

Further, the third user device may select to transmit (e.g., forward) the fourth status message to the first user device, which is the exit node with respect to the third user device. Based at least in part on receiving and/or analyzing information indicated by the fourth status message, the first user device may determine that the fourth user device is operating as a direct entry node with respect to the third user device, which is operating as a direct entry node with respect to the first user device. As a result, the first user device may determine that the fourth user device is operating as an indirect entry user device with respect to the first user device. Based at least in part on determining that the fourth user device is operating as an indirect entry device with respect to the first user device, and that the third user device is operating as a direct entry device with respect to the first user device, the first user device may further determine that the first user device may not select (e.g., is to refrain from selecting) the fourth user device or the third user device as an exit node. The first user device may store the determined information in a memory associated with the first user device. When the first user device is to select an exit node, the first user device may refer to such stored information.

Further, the first user device may select to transmit (e.g., forward) the fourth status message to the second user device, which is the exit node with respect to the first user device. Based at least in part on receiving and/or analyzing information indicated by the fourth status message, the second user device may determine that the fourth user device is operating as a direct entry node with respect to the third user device and that the third user device is operating as a direct entry node with respect to the first user device, which is operating as a direct entry node with respect to the second user device. As a result, the second user device may determine that the fourth user device and the third user device are operating as indirect entry user devices with respect to the second user device. Based at least in part on determining that the fourth user device and the third user device are operating as indirect entry devices with respect to the second user device, and that the first user device is operating as a direct entry device with respect to the second user device, the second user device may further determine that the second user device may not select (e.g., is to refrain from selecting) the fourth user device, the third user device, or the first user device as an exit node. The second user device may store the determined information in a memory associated with the second user device. When the second user device is to select an exit node, the second user device may refer to such stored information.

In some aspects, while performing status management, the third user device may select the second user device as an exit node. In this case, the third user device may release the first user device from being the exit node with respect to the third user device and may select the second user device as the exit node. Similarly, while performing status management, the fourth user device may select the first user device or the second user device as an exit node. In this case, the fourth user device may release the third user device from being the exit node with respect to the fourth user device and may select the first user device or the second user device as the exit node.

In this way, by refraining from selecting a device that is operating as a direct entry device or an indirect entry device as an exit node, as discussed herein, each of the user devices may enable the mesh network to avoid looping of correspondence without communication outside the mesh network. As a result, the MSP control infrastructure and the respective client applications may enable the user devices to correspond with external devices outside the mesh network. Further, the respective client applications may enable efficient consumption of user device resources (e.g., processing resources, memory resources, power consumption resources, battery life, or the like) and of resources associated with an MSP control infrastructure (computational resources, network bandwidth, management resources, processing resources, memory resources, or the like) for performing suitable tasks associated with the mesh network.

As indicated above, FIG. 3 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 3 .

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example process 400 associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the process 400 may be performed by a memory and/or a processor/controller (e.g., processing unit 116, processor 720) associated with a user device (e.g., user device 102) executing a client application. As shown by reference numeral 410, process 400 may include receiving, by a first device from a second device in a mesh network, a status message indicating that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second device and that the second device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the second device outside the mesh network is routed via the first device. For instance, the user device may utilize an associated communication interface (e.g., communication interface 770) the associated memory and/or processor to receive, from a second device in a mesh network, a status message indicating that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second device and that the second device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the second device outside the mesh network is routed via the first device, as discussed elsewhere herein.

As shown by reference numeral 420, process 400 may include refraining, by the first device based at least in part on receiving the status message, from selecting the second device as an exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is not routed via the second device. For instance, the user device may utilize the associated memory and/or processor to refrain, based at least in part on receiving the status message, from selecting the second device as an exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is not routed via the second device, as discussed elsewhere herein.

Process 400 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and/or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

In a first aspect, in process 400, receiving the status message includes receiving the status message over a meshnet connection between the first device and the second device in the mesh network.

In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, in process 400, receiving the status message from the second device includes receiving the status message based at least in part on a third device in the mesh network transmitting the status message to the second device.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with the first through second aspects, in process 400, refraining from selecting the second device as the exit device includes determining that the second device is operating in the mesh network as the entry device with respect to the first device.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with the first through third aspects, process 400 may include determining, by the first device, that the second device is operating as a direct entry device with respect to the first device.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with the first through fourth aspects, process 400 may include refraining from selecting a third device in the mesh network as the exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is not routed via the third device based at least in part on determining that the status message was transmitted to the second device by the third device.

In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with the first through fifth aspects, process 400 may include refraining from selecting a third device as the exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is not routed via the third device based at least in part on determining from the status message that the third device is operating in the mesh network as an indirect entry device with respect to the first device.

Although FIG. 4 shows example blocks of the process, in some aspects, the process may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in FIG. 4 . Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of the process may be performed in parallel.

As indicated above, FIG. 4 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 4 .

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example process 500 associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the process 500 may be performed by a memory and/or a processor/controller (e.g., processing unit 116, processor 720) associated with a user device (e.g., user device 102) executing a client application. As shown by reference numeral 510, process 500 may include receiving, by a first device from a second device in a mesh network, a first status message including information indicating that the second device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first device or that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second device such that data communicated by the second device outside the mesh network is routed via the first device. For instance, the user device may utilize an associated communication interface (e.g., communication interface) along with the associated memory and/or processor to receive, by a first device from a second device in a mesh network, a first status message including information indicating that the second device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first device or that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second device such that data communicated by the second device outside the mesh network is routed via the first device, as discussed elsewhere herein.

As shown by reference numeral 520, process 500 may include selecting, by the first device based at least in part on the information included in the first status message, a third device in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is routed via the third device, the third device being different from the second device. For instance, the user device may utilize the associated memory and/or processor to select, based at least in part on the information included in the first status message, a third device in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is routed via the third device, the third device being different from the second device, as discussed elsewhere herein.

Process 500 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and/or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

In a first aspect, process 500 may include determining, based at least in part on the information included in the first status message, whether the second device is operating as a direct entry device with respect to the first device or as an indirect entry device with respect to the first device.

In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, process 500 may include transmitting, to the second device and the third device, a second status message indicating information that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the third device or that the third device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is routed via the third device.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with the first through second aspects, process 500 may include refraining from selecting a fourth device in the mesh network as the exit device with respect to the first device based at least in part on determining that the first status message was transmitted to the second device by the fourth device.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with the first through third aspects, process 500 may include refraining from selecting a fourth device in the mesh network as the exit device with respect to the first device based at least in part on determining that the fourth device is operating as an entry device with respect to the second device.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with the first through fourth aspects, in process 500, receiving the first status message includes periodically receiving the first status message over a meshnet connection between the first device and the second device.

In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with the first through fifth aspects, in process 500, receiving the first status message from the second device includes receiving the first status message based at least in part on the second device selecting a device in the mesh network to operate as an exit device with respect to the second device.

Although FIG. 5 shows example blocks of the process, in some aspects, the process may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in FIG. 5 . Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of the process may be performed in parallel.

As indicated above, FIG. 5 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 5 .

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example process 600 associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the process 600 may be performed by a memory and/or a processor/controller (e.g., processing unit 116, processor 720) associated with a user device (e.g., user device 102) executing a client application. As shown by reference numeral 610, process 600 may include receiving, by a first device from a second device in a mesh network, a first status message including status information indicating that the second device is operating as an entry device with respect to the first device or that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second device such that data communicated by the second device outside the mesh network is routed via the first device. For instance, a user device may utilize an associated communication interface (e.g., communication interface 770) and the associated memory and/or processor to receive, from a second device in a mesh network, a first status message including status information indicating that the second device is operating as an entry device with respect to the first device or that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second device such that data communicated by the second device outside the mesh network is routed via the first device, as discussed elsewhere herein.

As shown by reference numeral 620, process 600 may include transmitting, to a third device in the mesh network, a second status message including the status information included in the first status message based at least in part on determining that the first device is operating as an entry device with respect to the third device or that the third device is operating as an exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is routed via the third device. For instance, the user device may utilize the associated memory and/or processor to transmit, to a third device in the mesh network, a second status message including the status information included in the first status message based at least in part on determining that the first device is operating as an entry device with respect to the third device or that the third device is operating as an exit device with respect to the first device such that data communicated by the first device outside the mesh network is routed via the third device, as discussed elsewhere herein.

Process 600 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below and/or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

In a first aspect, process 600 may include determining, based at least in part on the status information included in the first status message, whether the second device is operating as a direct entry device with respect to the first device or as an indirect entry device with respect to the first device.

In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, process 600 may include refraining from selecting the second device as the exit device with respect to the first device based at least in part on the status information included in the first status message.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with the first through second aspects, in process 600, receiving the first status message includes receiving the first status message over a meshnet connection between the first device and the second device in the mesh network.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with the first through third aspects, in process 600, receiving the first status message includes receiving the first status message periodically.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with the first through fourth aspects, in process 600, transmitting the second status message includes transmitting the second status message over a meshnet connection between the first device and the third device in the mesh network.

In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with the first through fifth aspects, in process 600, transmitting the second status message includes transmitting the second status message periodically.

Although FIG. 6 shows example blocks of the process, in some aspects, the process may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted in FIG. 6 . Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of the process may be performed in parallel.

As indicated above, FIG. 6 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 6 .

FIG. 7 is an illustration of example devices 700 associated with status management in a mesh network, according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the example devices 700 may form part of or implement the systems, servers, environments, infrastructures, components, devices, or the like described elsewhere herein (e.g., MSP control infrastructure, VPN server, etc.) and may be used to perform example processes described elsewhere herein. The example devices 700 may include a universal bus 710 communicatively coupling a processor 720, a memory 730, a storage component 740, an input component 750, an output component 760, and a communication interface 770.

Bus 710 may include a component that permits communication among multiple components of a device 700. Processor 720 may be implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or a combination of hardware and software. Processor 720 may take the form of a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component. In some aspects, processor 720 may include one or more processors capable of being programmed to perform a function. Memory 730 may include a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and/or another type of dynamic or static storage device (e.g., a flash memory, a magnetic memory, and/or an optical memory) that stores information and/or instructions for use by processor 720.

Storage component 740 may store information and/or software related to the operation and use of a device 700. For example, storage component 740 may include a hard disk (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and/or a magneto-optic disk), a solid state drive (SSD), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, a magnetic tape, and/or another type of non-transitory computer-readable medium, along with a corresponding drive.

Input component 750 may include a component that permits a device 700 to receive information, such as via user input (e.g., a touch screen display, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a button, a switch, and/or a microphone). Additionally, or alternatively, input component 750 may include a component for determining location (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component) and/or a sensor (e.g., an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an actuator, another type of positional or environmental sensor, and/or the like). Output component 760 may include a component that provides output information from device 700 (via, for example, a display, a speaker, a haptic feedback component, an audio or visual indicator, and/or the like).

Communication interface 770 may include a transceiver-like component (e.g., a transceiver, a separate receiver, a separate transmitter, and/or the like) that enables a device 700 to communicate with other devices, such as via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. Communication interface 770 may permit device 700 to receive information from another device and/or provide information to another device. For example, communication interface 770 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellular network interface, and/or the like.

A device 700 may perform one or more processes described elsewhere herein. A device 700 may perform these processes based on processor 720 executing software instructions stored by a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as memory 730 and/or storage component 740. As used herein, the term “computer-readable medium” may refer to a non-transitory memory device. A memory device may include memory space within a single physical storage device or memory space spread across multiple physical storage devices.

Software instructions may be read into memory 730 and/or storage component 740 from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communication interface 770. When executed, software instructions stored in memory 730 and/or storage component 740 may cause processor 720 to perform one or more processes described elsewhere herein. Additionally, or alternatively, hardware circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to perform one or more processes described elsewhere herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

The quantity and arrangement of components shown in FIG. 7 are provided as an example. In practice, a device 700 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or differently arranged components than those shown in FIG. 7 . Additionally, or alternatively, a set of components (e.g., one or more components) of a device 700 may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another set of components of a device 700.

As indicated above, FIG. 7 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard to FIG. 7 .

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the aspects encompassed by the present disclosure are not limited to the particular exemplary aspects described herein. In that regard, although illustrative aspects have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. It is understood that such variations may be made to the aspects without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the present disclosure.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the aspects.

As used herein, the term “component” or “device” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. As used herein, a processor is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software.

As used herein, satisfying a threshold may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, or not equal to the threshold, among other examples, or combinations thereof.

It will be apparent that systems or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The actual specialized control hardware or software code used to implement these systems or methods is not limiting of the aspects. Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems or methods were described herein without reference to specific software code—it being understood that software and hardware can be designed to implement the systems or methods based, at least in part, on the description herein.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. A phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c, as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (for example, a-a, a-a-a, a-a-b, a-a-c, a-b-b, a-c-c, b-b, b-b-b, b-b-c, c-c, and c-c-c or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the term “set” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, etc.), and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and/or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of”). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a first client application executed on a first user device from a second user device in a mesh network, a first status message including information indicating that data communicated by the second user device outside the mesh network is routed via the first user device by indicating (i) that the second user device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first user device or (ii) that the first user device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second user device; and selecting, by the first client application based at least in part on the information included in the first status message, a third user device in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the first user device such that data communicated by the first user device outside the mesh network is routed via the third user device, the third user device being different from the second user device.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, based at least in part on the information included in the first status message, whether the second user device is operating as a direct entry device with respect to the first user device or as an indirect entry device with respect to the first user device.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting, to the second user device and the third user device, a second status message indicating information that data communicated by the first user device outside the mesh network is routed via the third user device by indicating (i) that the first user device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the third user device or (ii) that the third user device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first user device such that.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: refraining from selecting a fourth user device in the mesh network as the exit device with respect to the first user device based at least in part on determining that the first status message was transmitted to the second user device by the fourth user device.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: refraining from selecting a fourth user device in the mesh network as the exit device with respect to the first user device based at least in part on determining that the fourth user device is operating as an entry device with respect to the second user device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first status message includes periodically receiving the first status message over a meshnet connection between the first user device and the second user device.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the first status message from the second user device includes receiving the first status message based at least in part on the second user device selecting a device in the mesh network to operate as an exit device with respect to the second user device.
 8. A first user device, comprising: a memory; and a processor configured to execute a first client application and to be communicatively coupled to the memory, to: receive, from a second user device in a mesh network, a first status message including information indicating data communicated by the second user device outside the mesh network is routed via the first user device by indicating (i) that the second user device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first user device or (ii) that the first user device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second user device; and select, based at least in part on the information included in the first status message, a third user device in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the first user device such that data communicated by the first user device outside the mesh network is routed via the third user device, the third user device being different from the second user device.
 9. The first user device of claim 8, wherein the memory and the processor are configured to: determine, based at least in part on the information included in the first status message, whether the second user device is operating as a direct entry device with respect to the first user device or as an indirect entry device with respect to the first user device.
 10. The first user device of claim 8, wherein the memory and the processor are configured to: transmit, to the second user device and the third user device, a second status message indicating information that data communicated by the first user device outside the mesh network is routed via the third user device by indicating (i) that the first user device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the third user device or that the third user device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first user device such that.
 11. The first user device of claim 8, wherein the memory and the processor are configured to: refrain from selecting a fourth user device in the mesh network as the exit device with respect to the first user device based at least in part on determining that the first status message was transmitted to the second user device by the fourth user device.
 12. The first user device of claim 8, wherein the memory and the processor are configured to: refrain from selecting a fourth user device in the mesh network as the exit device with respect to the first user device based at least in part on determining that the fourth user device is operating as an entry device with respect to the second user device.
 13. The first user device of claim 8, wherein, to receive the first status message, the memory and the processor are configured to periodically receive the first status message over a meshnet connection between the first user device and the second user device.
 14. The first user device of claim 8, wherein, to receive the first status message from the second user device, the memory and the processor are configured to receive the first status message based at least in part on the second user device selecting a device in the mesh network to operate as an exit device with respect to the second user device.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store instructions, which when executed by a client application executed by a processor associated with a first user device, configure the processor to: receive, from a second device in a mesh network, a first status message including information indicating that data communicated by the second user device outside the mesh network is routed via the first user device by indicating (i) that the second device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first device or (ii) that the first device is operating in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the second device such; and select, based at least in part on the information included in the first status message, a third user device in the mesh network as an exit device with respect to the first user device such that data communicated by the first user device outside the mesh network is routed via the third user device, the third user device being different from the second user device.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim wherein the processor is configured to: determine, based at least in part on the information included in the first status message, whether the second user device is operating as a direct entry device with respect to the first user device or as an indirect entry device with respect to the first user device.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim wherein the processor is configured to: transmit, to the second user device and the third user device, a second status message indicating information that data communicated by the first user device outside the mesh network is routed via the third user device by indicating (i) that the first user device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the third user device or (ii) that the third user device is operating in the mesh network as an entry device with respect to the first user device.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim wherein the processor is configured to: refrain from selecting a fourth user device in the mesh network as the exit device with respect to the first user device based at least in part on determining that the first status message was transmitted to the second user device by the fourth user device.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim wherein the processor is configured to: refrain from selecting a fourth user device in the mesh network as the exit device with respect to the first user device based at least in part on determining that the fourth user device is operating as an entry device with respect to the second user device.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim wherein, to receive the first status message, the processor is configured to periodically receive the first status message over a meshnet connection between the first user device and the second user device. 